$30,000 in store for young athletes

1st July 2010

Rotorua has long been a nursery for young sporting talent.

From rugby through to cycling, kayaking to running, there are Rotorua athletes making their mark on the world.

That is set to continue with the news of a $30,000 grant to Rotorua Primary School Sports Association.

Sport Bay of Plenty announced this week the first round of KiwiSport funding, allocating more than $421,000 in grants to clubs, schools and sporting organisations throughout the region.

Kiwisport is a Government funding initiative to promote sport for school-aged children that was announced by Prime Minister John Key in August last year.

The aim is to increase the number of school-aged children participating in organised sport during school, after school and by strengthening links with sports clubs.

It is also designed to make it easier for children to access sports opportunities and to support them in developing skills.

Rotorua Primary School Sports Association was awarded the lion's share of Central Bay of Plenty funding with $30,000 over the next three years.

There was also $11,820 allocated for Kickstart fund applications, which is a smaller initiative.

The association was given its funding to assist with the growth and delivery of sporting opportunities and events in the city.

It already runs an athletics day in March, winter sports day in July, cross country in September and swimming sports in November.

Kickstart fund recipients were Bay of Plenty Orienteering Club, Rotorua Smallbore Rifle Club, Mid Island Gymnastics, Western Heights High School, Malfroy School and Te Kura o Te Koutu.

The next round of funding applications for Kiwisport open on August 7 and close on September 7.